Why choose an osteopath?

Osteopathic physicians, or osteopaths, offer a variety of non-invasive, non-surgical healing treatments not available from conventional doctors. Osteopaths believe that the body's immune system contains a source of health that is in most cases far superior to pharmaceuticals. Many patients seek an osteopath after conventional medicine has failed to help them.

What is osteopathic manual medicine?

Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM) is a specialty within the field of osteopathy. "Manual medicine" refers to the fact that osteopaths diagnose and treat with their hands. In order to specialize in Osteopathic Manual Medicine, an osteopath must devote several years of additional training after medical school.

What is cranial osteopathy?

Cranial osteopathy, or Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, is a sub-specialty of OMM. Although most cranial osteopaths are D.O.s, there are M.D.s, D.M.D.s and D.D.S.s who are cranial osteopaths, as well. Cranial osteopathy is an expansion of the general principles of osteopathy.

Are osteopaths real doctors?

Osteopaths are fully licensed physicians who are authorized to prescribe medication and perform surgical procedures. While attending medical school, D.O.s are responsible for the same academic discipline as their M.D. colleagues and receive an additional 300 to 500 hours in the study of the body's musculoskeletal system. Physicians who wish to specialize in cranial osteopathy must do additional post-graduate training.

How does osteopathy work?

Osteopaths believe that a patient's history of illness and physical trauma are stored in the body's structure. Their highly developed sense of touch allows them to palpate, or feel, a patient's flow of life fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural make-up. Osteopaths often detect physical problems that fail to appear on x-rays.

Osteopaths can detect slight imbalances in the body's structure. By correcting these imbalances, they support the body in healing itself. The osteopath's touch promotes movement of the bodily fluids, eliminates dysfunction in the motion of the tissues, and releases compressed bones and joints. There are no abrupt movements; the motion is very slow and gentle.

What Do Osteopaths Treat?

Because osteopathy is an approach and a philosophy rather than a technique, osteopaths are able to treat virtually any illness or injury.

What is the Length of Treatment?

The number of treatments necessary for any specific condition depends on several factors. In particular, the patient's age and overall health are key determinants in treatment length. Patients with chronic conditions require treatment for longer periods than do patients with more acute conditions.